SEAHEC Director, Gail Emrick, CCHCI Director of Community Programs, Susan Lange, celebrate the Winchester Community Center’s Inauguration with family and friends.

On Thursday, September 6th, 2018, SEAHEC Director Gail Emrick had a pleasant surprise when she attended “Cochise Celebrates Giving,”  an annual event sponsored by the Arizona Community Foundation of Cochise to highlight grantees and celebrate the work they do. Ms. Emrick expected to receive a grant award on behalf of SEAHEC.  That indeed was the case, as SEAHEC was one of 16 nonprofit agencies that were awarded funding for the 2018/2019 funding cycle. SEAHEC submitted a funding application for our Healthy Farms/Healthy Communities Program. The application requested support for the newly constructed Winchester Heights Community Center and its heating and cooling needs. SEAHEC received $3,555 from the foundation.

What Ms. Emrick did not know was that SEAHEC had been nominated AND selected as the Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award!  Jana Flagler, a member of the ACF of Cochise Board of Advisors, presented the award. Brian Barkdull, Board Chair of the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona also recognized SEAHEC. The Legacy Foundation previously awarded SEAHEC monies for the construction of the community center in Cochise County. It was a true honor to accept such an award!

SEAHEC was nominated by the Director of Cochise Health & Social Services, Carrie Langley, and Susan Lange, Director of Community Programs at Chiricahua Community Health Center. Both are partners in the community center construction project. Gail expressed SEAHEC’s gratitude for the recognition.

“We are so grateful for this recognition. The work we do helps farmworkers and their children, one of the most vulnerable populations in the county. The funds from the ACF, Legacy and others, has supported our work to help Winchester Heights community members create a true sense of community. Now children have a safe place to play and residents have a dignified place to meet. The new community center will enable them to organize and plan activities and educational events. How exciting! Thank you so much!”